The OCC has filed a motion to dismiss in a court case filed by the CSBS suggesting that the agency is not authorized to issue the fintech charter it has been drafting to support the growth of fintech companies in the US; the primary argument of the CSBS centers around the issuance of a national charter to fintech companies offering only unbundled banking services with no deposit taking business; in its motion to dismiss the OCC says the CSBS' allegations are speculative given that the OCC has not yet begun taking any applications for a national charter. Source
CB Insights provides a market map with 102 lending, investing and personal finance startups; gives retail consumers an array of options to choose from; includes companies providing innovative solutions across the entire retail banking market. Source
The People's Bank of China says in a report that it is considering expanding its risk-assessment system beyond banks to include major online financial businesses; the Wall Street Journal comments that China's central bank is increasing its monitoring of the loosely regulated fintech sector. Source
Ping An is investing 7.77 billion yuan ($1.16 billion) in technology research and development this year with artificial intelligence as the focus; the firm's Ping An Technology division is supporting the efforts; the group has been focusing on solutions for finance and healthcare with plans to expand to other industries; the company's goals are also in line with a government initiative announced by China's State Council; current efforts for Ping An have been centered around recognition software for identity and claims management. Source
The People's Bank of China (PBoC) requires all third-party payment institutions to channel transactions through a newly established central clearing platform called Nets Union Clearing Corp. (Wanglian); the trial operations started in April and will be put to formal use on July 1, 2018; by that time, all third-party payment firms (including Alipay and TenPay), will not be able to conduct transactions, such as bank transfers, outside of regulator's supervision. Source
The idea behind Humaniq was to bring the underbanked, a number that estimates around 3.5 billion worldwide, into the banking world; in an interview with the Huffington Post, Humaniq CEO Dinis Guarda talks about the solution they are bringing to the market; they are working with emerging economies where people live on $2.50 a day and have access to a smartphone; the Humaniq banking app will allow these individuals to have access to chats, wallets, payments, microloans and peer-to-peer lending services; they are doing an initial test in Ghana, allowing users to chat and make payments with their phones to local merchants; offering the underbanked a solution is something that can help lift communities and ultimately countries out of poverty. Source
Tandem is a banking app to help individuals manage their finances; according to the Financial Times, the acquisition will provide GBP80 million ($103.8 million) of capital as well as a banking license; Tandem lost their banking license earlier this year after a failed investment by a Chinese conglomerate; the firm was concerned about whether China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange would approve the transaction; the acquisition still has to go through regulatory approval but if approved will allow Tandem to offer savings accounts. Source
Over 50% of Americans can not afford an unexpected expense of $400; at LendIt USA 2017 we hosted a fireside chat focused on helping Americans save; a key area that companies look at is an individual's spending as a way to help change their behavior to save more; round up from the everyday coffee you buy or set goals through your lifestyle; each way can help individuals to better set aside money when needed, as well as invest for the future; technology today allows for companies to better help individuals who thought they were left out of the investment community; the chat also focused on why they believe as a startup they can help to solve the financial inclusion question as opposed to the incumbent banks; the discussion also touched on the future of their businesses, current partnerships with top consumer brands and potential add ons for their current product offerings. Source
Source provides details on the Fintech Innovation Lab and its founders; notes the benefits of the Fintech Innovation Lab and includes numerous success stories; included in this year's program were Cutting Edge, Nova Credit and BehavioSec. Source
The most recent report on US consumer credit shows credit card debt reaching a new high and surpassing the previous peak reached in 2008; outstanding credit card debt in June was $1.02 trillion; source discusses increased market competition in the credit card market; also notes higher default rates yet increased risk taking given the improved market environment. Source